Hunt takes on shadow education brief in Labour reshuffle
Laura McCardle
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Tristram Hunt's promotion to shadow Education Secretary was the most high-profile front bench change during Tuesday's reshuffle by the main political parties.
Labour leader Ed Miliband selected Hunt to replace Stephen Twigg, who had held the education brief since 2010, to challenge Education Secretary Michael Gove in the run-up to the 2015 election.
Hunt entered Parliament in 2010, when he was appointed as MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central. He recently took over Labour's youth portfolio and has also led on educational excellence and constitutional reform.
Prior to his appointment, Hunt, a professor of history, combined his role as lecturer in history at Queen Mary University of London with work as a broadcaster.
He also worked for former Prime Minister Tony Blair on the 1997 election campaign.
Following yesterday’s announcement, Twigg, MP for Liverpool West Derby, tweeted a message of congratulations to Hunt.
He said: “It has been an honour to serve for two years as Labour’s shadow education secretary and I wish Tristram Hunt every success in his new role.”
Twigg also said he was “overwhelmed” by the supportive messages he had received and that he looked forward to working with shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan on constitutional reform.
Miliband also promoted Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell to shadow minister for childcare and early years. She replaces Sharon Hodgson, who has been moved to the women and equalities brief.
In addition, Birmingham Selly Oak MP Steve McCabe has been appointed shadow education minister. He replaces Lisa Nandy, who has been promoted to the Labour Cabinet Office.
Prime Minister David Cameron made the most changes and promoted a number of female Conservative MPs, including the appointment of Esther McVey as employment minister, following criticism of the lack of women ministers in senior government positions.
He also appointed Matt Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, as minister of state for skills and enterprise. In his new role, Hancock will work jointly with the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg also made changes to his team, including replacing Jeremy Browne as Home Office minister with Norman Baker.
